Stretch marks on thighs and hips in pregnancy: what helps

Stretch marks can appear on your thighs, hips and bottom during pregnancy, as well as on your bump. They are scars in the skin and usually fade over time. Moisturiser may ease dryness, while the right clothing can reduce everyday rubbing. Stretch marks and chafing are different problems, so it helps to know which you’re dealing with.

You’ve remembered the bump cream. Your thighs apparently have their own plans. A few lines on the hips or upper legs can be a surprise, particularly if your stomach has stayed fairly clear.

There is a practical reason to look beyond the bump: a product can only cover the area it reaches. That matters when choosing between a belly band, briefs and shorts.

Why do stretch marks appear on the thighs and hips during pregnancy?

Rapid changes in body size can disrupt the collagen and elastin that help support skin. Pregnancy hormones and inherited susceptibility also play a part. You don’t need a dramatic change in dress size to notice new marks.

The NHS stretch-mark guide lists thighs and hips among the places they commonly occur. They are usually harmless and need no treatment.

Why your thighs might have marks when your bump doesn’t

Different areas of your body change differently. Some women see marks on their breasts first, others on the hips or stomach. Having clear skin in one area doesn’t predict what will happen elsewhere.

Family history can affect your likelihood of getting them, but it cannot tell you exactly where or when they will appear.

Read Are Stretch Marks Genetic? if that is the part you’re curious about.

Stretch marks or chafing?

Stretch marks tend to look like separate lines or streaks. New ones may be pink, purple, red or brown, and older ones often look paler. Chafing is irritation from rubbing: the skin feels sore or raw where thighs, seams or clothing meet.

You can have both. A cream marketed for stretch marks doesn’t automatically solve rubbing, and shorts that stop skin rubbing together don’t automatically prevent stretch marks.

When do pregnancy thigh stretch marks usually start?

There isn’t a fixed week. Marks often appear as pregnancy progresses and your body changes, but timing varies. No marks at a particular appointment doesn’t guarantee none will appear later.

New lines can feel itchy. Persistent or severe itching needs a separate check, rather than being written off as your skin stretching.

Our stretch-mark timeline explains the broader pattern without turning it into a deadline.

What helps with dry skin, rubbing and coverage?

Start with the problem you want to solve: dry skin, rubbing, coverage or the appearance of existing marks. They are not interchangeable.

For dry or tight skin

A moisturiser can make dry skin feel more comfortable. Apply it gently to the areas that need it, including the sides of the hips and upper thighs. You don’t need to scrub or massage hard.

If a formula stings, stop using it. Pregnancy isn’t a reason to persevere with a product your skin dislikes.

In the Secret Saviours routine, Day Gel is used beneath the supportwear, and Night Cream after it comes off. The two steps have different textures and different places in the routine.

For coverage around the hips and thighs

Check where a garment finishes before buying it. A belly band leaves your thighs uncovered. If those are the areas you want to support, the leg length makes a real difference.

Briefs finish at the top of the legs. They suit someone who wants a briefs shape, but they do not cover the inner thighs.

The Secret Saviours Shorts Kit includes shorts extending over the upper thighs, plus Day Gel and Night Cream. It is the more relevant option when you want coverage beyond the bump and hips.

If you prefer a full-length layer under autumn clothes, compare the Leggings Kit. Choose the shape you will comfortably wear, and check the product photographs for where it ends.

Derma Dot™ technology is designed to contact and support the skin as it stretches. The study described on our site tested the abdominal band and skincare routine. It was not a separate trial of the shorts or of thigh stretch marks.

For rubbing between the thighs

Look for fabric that covers the point where your thighs rub, with seams and leg hems that feel comfortable when you walk and sit. Check for fabric riding up or bunching. Coverage on a product photograph is useful; comfort in motion is the deciding test.

Take off anything that makes the area more sore. Ask a pharmacist or clinician about persistent irritation, broken skin or a rash rather than treating every change as a stretch mark.

Using the Shorts Kit day to day

Morning

Apply Day Gel to the skin the garment will cover. The slightly tacky finish helps the dots maintain contact. Put the shorts on directly against the skin, smoothing any folds.

Before getting dressed

Sit down and walk a few steps. Check the waistband, leg hems and fabric around the groin. They should feel secure without digging in.

Use the Secret Saviours size guide and recheck your measurements if the fit changes. Going smaller isn’t a way to improve the result.

During the day

Follow the routine instructions, and remove the garment if it causes pain, numbness or irritation. Don’t keep adjusting an uncomfortable pair all day without checking the size.

At bedtime

Take the shorts off and apply Night Cream to the same areas. There is no need to sleep in the supportwear.

What about thigh stretch marks that are already there?

They commonly fade, although some colour or texture change may remain. Time does a lot of that work, which is why a before-and-after image needs context.

Scrubbing will not remove the scar and may irritate your skin. The American Academy of Dermatology explains the limits of home treatments and the options a dermatologist may discuss.

Avoid starting a retinoid product during pregnancy. If you are considering treatment later, including while breastfeeding, discuss suitable options with a clinician.

When should you speak to your midwife or GP?

Contact your maternity team promptly if itching is severe, worse at night, keeps you awake or affects your palms or soles. The NHS advice on itching in pregnancy explains when it needs checking, including when there is no rash.

Painful, hot, weeping or broken skin also needs advice. Ordinary stretch marks don’t explain every skin symptom.

For everyday care, keep it specific. Moisturise dry areas, address rubbing and choose a garment that reaches the skin you want to support. Your thighs deserve a bit of thought too.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get thigh stretch marks without any on my stomach?

Yes. Where marks appear varies. A clear bump doesn’t mean you won’t notice them elsewhere.

Will anti-chafing shorts prevent stretch marks?

Reducing rubbing and preventing stretch marks are different claims. Ordinary anti-chafing shorts should not be assumed to do both.

Which Secret Saviours garment covers the upper thighs?

The Shorts cover the upper thighs. The Leggings offer a full-length style. Briefs and a belly band leave the thighs uncovered.

This article is general information, not medical advice. If anything about your body or your baby concerns you, ask your GP or midwife.